580/680 Express Bus to Offer Free Commute for Hacienda Employees

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

The board of directors of the Livermore/Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) has approved the route and schedule for the upcoming launch of a new service which will run between Concord and Hacienda.

The service, which is expected to begin operation before the end of the year, would be provided free of charge to all Hacienda employees. A WHEELS Flash Pass, available at no charge from the Hacienda Owners Association, will be required. To use the new buses, Hacienda riders will simply show their pass to the driver and get on board.

LAVTA has made arrangements to acquire a number of buses from Golden Gate Transit which will be used for the service. These vehicles are designed for commuters, with high-backed, upholstered seats and individual airplane-style lights mounted overhead.

This will be the second new service added by WHEELS this year. Routes complementing the new Altamont Commuter Express will be also launched when the trains make their debut.

Proposed Service Schedule

The schedule has been designed to accommodate employees working weekdays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.

The route will begin at the Willow Pass Road Park and Ride lot in Concord at 7:10 am. Stops will be made at the Monument Boulevard Park and Ride lot in Pleasant Hill at 7:22 and at the Mitchell Drive Park and Ride lot in Walnut Creek at 7:29. Buses are scheduled to arrive in Hacienda at 8:00 am.

The evening route will originate in Hacienda at 5:30 pm, with stops at Mitchell Drive (5:59), Monument Boulevard (6:06), and Willow Pass Road (6:18). No service will be provided on weekends.

More Information

Austin O'Dell of WHEELS is available to answer questions or to take input on the proposed routes and times. He may be reached at (925) 455-7555, or via e-mail at aodell@lavta.org.

Free WHEELS Flash Passes are available from the Hacienda Owners Association by calling (925) 734-6551 or accessing the Hacienda web site.

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